The Sinner’s Prayer
There is an expression used in many churches today called “the sinner’s prayer” that tells people who have a desire to live for God to repeat the words in this prayer.
After repeating this prayer, they are told that by faith they are saved and born again and on their way to heaven. Nothing could be further from the Truth.
No where in the Bible did anyone ever become a born-again believer by repeating a prayer and accepting Jesus as their personal saviour. This “sinner’s prayer” is nowhere to be found in the Bible.
Just believe and you’re saved is not what God requires for salvation and cannot be found in the Bible. To believe is simply the starting point to living for God.
When a person begins to seek the Lord, there is an assurance from God and a peace because of the change of direction in the heart. It is the goodness of God they experience leading them to a place called repentance. Romans 2:4 Repentance doesn’t mean you are saved; it is a decision that must be made by everyone in surrendering to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The questions then is often asked:
“Don’t we just believe the Gospel message to be saved?
“Must we do something else?”
Yes, we must believe and obey the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is the Good News of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
John 3:16 tells us that he that believeth shall not perish but have everlasting life. The word “believeth” means he that continues to believe and obey. John 8:31-32 There are many examples in Scripture of people who believed and continued on. Their belief led them to obedience. Mark 16:16
To obey the Gospel message, means we have to do something. We must first repent. Luke 13:3
Repentance is the decision that must be made to turn away from a life of sin and to turn towards God.
After true repentance comes water baptism by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus to remit, cleanse, pardon and wash away the sin that you inherited from Adam and the sin that you have committed thus far in your life. Acts 2:38-39
You will then receive the promise of the Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of God which gives us the power to overcome a sinful nature. Acts 1:8, Romans 6:1-5
There are many so-called “preachers” today that are saying that all you have to do is just believe. This is not true. The Word of God is forever settled in heaven. Romans 3:4, Psalms 119:89
It will never change. Hebrews 13:8 These so-called “preachers” do not know nor understand the Scriptures. They use bits and pieces of Scripture taken of their original context to mislead and deceive sincere hearted people looking to have God in their lives.
They use the Scripture in Romans 10:9,13 to support the sinner’s prayer but fail to realize that the Book of Romans was written to people who were already born-again believers. Romans 1:7
This was not a way to get saved, but rather a way to stay saved through confession of sin and calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus. The blood of Jesus is in the Name of Jesus. Once the blood of Jesus is applied in water baptism to our lives, we then must call on His Name to keep applying that cleansing agent to our lives. Without the application of the blood of Jesus, there can be no cleansing from sin.
The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word. In other words, you cannot believe what you do not know. Romans 10:14-15,17 The problem is that there are so many so-called “preachers” saying all kinds of things about salvation that are incomplete and deceptive.
Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day that they took away the key of knowledge. Luke 11:52 Knowledge is knowing the facts of Scripture, knowing the book, chapter, and verse.
There are millions of sincere-hearted people that are told that they are saved because they have repeated the sinner’s prayer and are now on their way to heaven when they die.
They have been deceived. The Apostle Paul told the church in Rome to mark those people who contradict the Apostles’ teaching about salvation and avoid them. Romans 16:17
Because of so many people not knowing what the Bible says, people are easily misled. Proverbs 14:15,18 Here are some Scriptures that deceivers use to mislead and confuse people. Romans 10:9, John 5:24, 1 John 5:13, John 20:31
Bits and pieces of verses taken out of context and not considering the whole counsel of God always produce an incomplete message.
Jesus said in John 10:4-5 that His sheep know His voice. The voice of God is the Word of God. Psalms 103:20, Jeremiah 7:23 You never trust and obey God more than when you trust and obey His Word.
The salvation of your soul is the result of doing something Jesus said that you must do; be born again. John 3:3,5,7
The Philippian Jailer asked Paul and Silas, “…what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30,31-33
Jesus told Saul of Tarsus what he must do. Acts 9:5-6
Ananias told Saul of Tarsus that he had to be baptized in Jesus Name to wash away his sins. Acts 22:16
Paul told believers to receive the Holy Spirit and be baptized in Jesus Name. Acts 19:1-5
Peter commanded the household of Cornelius to be baptized in Jesus Name. Acts 10:48 11:14
Peter told Jesus that only He had the words to eternal life. John 6:68
Jesus said that He gave the Apostles the words of Truth. John 17:8
The Apostles claimed to be of God and to have the words from God. 1 John 4:6
Conclusion
What it took to be born again 2,000 years ago still remains the same today. The Gospel message has not changed. It will never change because it is the Everlasting Gospel. Revelation 14:6
Repeating a man-made prayer and call it a way to get saved is nothing but pure deception. It is Jesus who called and chose the Apostles. He gave them the Gospel message, and He confirmed what they taught what they preached. Mark16:20, Hebrews 2:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Mark 7:7,13
Today there are an ever-increasing number of large churches and famous preachers leading multitudes of people away from the opportunity of receiving eternal life.
There is no safety in numbers. Matthew 7:13-15,21 The sinner’s prayer is not in the Bible and saying these words WILL NOT save you.
If and when God speaks to your heart and you respond, remember you are just beginning to walk and talk with the Lord. Be honest with yourself and with God. Please remember, it is He who is drawing you to Him. John 14:6, 6:37, 12:32
